The message appeared on a militant website and carried al-Qaeda’s logo plus a still image of Bin Laden aiming with an AK-47.

“You went overboard in your unbelief and freed yourselves of the etiquette of dispute and fighting and went to the extent of publishing these insulting drawings,” said a voice believed to be Bin Laden’s. “This is the greatest misfortune and the most dangerous and the judgment for it will be stronger,” he said.

The tape came as Muslims around the world marked the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Bin Laden went on describe the cartoons as taking place in the framework of a “new Crusade” against Islam, in which the Pope has played a “large and lengthy role” and warned the Europeans that a reaction would come.

“The response will be what you see and not what you hear and let our mothers bereave us if we do not make victorious our messenger of God,” he said, without specifying what action would be taken.

Vatican reacts

The Vatican rejected new accusations from Osama bin Laden that the publication of cartoons mocking Islam’s Prophet Mohammad was part of a “new crusade” involving Pope Benedict.

“These accusations are totally unfounded,” said Vatican spokesman Reverend Federico Lombardi. “But it’s not surprising to hear this... Bin Laden would lump the pope together with all his perceived enemies,” Lombardi said.